Will it create a seismic shift or just a shake-before-serving shrug? With Ware and Miller, the Broncos want chaos, turning each snap into an unnerving 5 a.m. car alarm for the quarterback.

"We went out of our way to get this tandem," coach John Fox said. "We are looking for them to make the quarterback uncomfortable. Time will tell. But they are working very hard to this point, and they're both very, very talented."

The script tantalizes fans. Ware and Miller bring remarkable wingspans and unique explosiveness. Ware created intrigue, if not elevated expectations, last week when he identified goals for the duo.

"We want to have as many sacks as one team," Ware said. "Me and Von talk all the time about it. He threw a number out there, and I said, 'Why not be the tandem that can say it was the best in the league ever.' That's what you want."

NFL history remains within reach. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears tied for last with 31 sacks last season. If Ware and Miller register that total, they become the standard in Denver. Miller (18½) and Elvis Dumervil (11) posted a total of 29½ sacks in 2012, the franchise's high-water mark. A slow fax modem broke them apart.

The St. Louis Rams' Robert Quinn and Chris Long ranked as the NFL's top tandem last season, totaling 27½ sacks.

Without saying it, those are numbers the Broncos' pass rushers are targeting.

"If you're not trying to be the best at what you're doing — that just seems lame to me," Miller said. "You just come out here just to play football, just to pay the bills, because it's cool — that's not for me. I want to come out here and try to be the best player I can possibly be, and just be remembered. And DeMarcus Ware, he's well on his way to doing that."

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Uncertainty tempers the excitement. Ware and Miller possess the ability to post big numbers. Yet they are coming off disappointing seasons. Ware, a previous ironman who was derailed by a right elbow injury, finished with only six sacks in 13 games, his worst year. Miller delivered a career-low five in nine games, missing six games because of a drug suspension followed by a ruptured right ACL on Dec. 22.

Pass rusher Shaun Phillips netted 10 sacks last season for the Broncos, raising the question if they are better with Ware. The Broncos believe Ware will create more consistent pressure. From 2009 to 2011, no other pass rusher produced more hits, hurries and sacks than Ware.

Sacks, like home runs, are not equal. There are players who belt them when a team trails 7-0, and others who walk off opponents in the ninth. Timing matters on multiple levels.

"If the quarterback drops back and has to have it, and doesn't have time, then I like the rush," said defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, who is pleased with the way Ware and Miller are challenging each other in practice. "That's what it's about. Not just the sack."

Ware is evolving into a team leader — Miller grew up idolizing him — just two months after his arrival. Ware isn't practicing like a player in decline. "He looks like a beast, like he's 24 or something," said defensive lineman Malik Jackson.

Miller relies more on speed and keeping defenders from making contact. He has been told to ease up in drills as he pushes to be cleared for contact early in training camp. Ware forces attention to detail for Miller, correcting mistakes.

"To have a guy that, it's like having an encyclopedia in there," Miller said. "He knows all kinds of stuff, all types of situations."

The pass will never become part of the NFL's past. It rules the game now, with quarterbacks taking shorter drops and releasing the ball in 2½ seconds.

So the pass rush remains vital. Ware and Miller seek the sack. Creating chaos and throwing off timing, however, will figure largely in this pairing's success.

"We want pressure, to get the quarterback rattled," Ware said. "Get those big plays that get our offense back the ball."

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